Baby P's 'manipulative' mother jailed

The mother of Baby P, the British toddler who died following an horrific campaign of abuse, has been branded manipulative, self-centred and selfish by the judge who jailed her indefinitely.

The sentencing comes as a damning new report said the youngster's death should have been prevented.

Baby Peter's 27-year-old mother, who cannot be named, her 32-year-old boyfriend and lodger Jason Owen, 37, were convicted last year of causing or allowing his death in August 2007 at the age of just 17 months.

The toddler suffered a broken back and over 40 serious injuries during prolonged domestic violence, despite being on Haringey Council's child protection register.

The mother was given an indefinite jail term on Friday (local time) at the Old Bailey and was told she would serve at least five years in prison, the Press Association reported.

"You are a manipulative and self-centred person, with a calculating side as well as a temper," Judge Stephen Kramer told her.

"I reject the suggestion that you were blind to what was happening in that house or that you were naive."

In a statement read out by her lawyer to the court on Thursday, Peter's mother apologised for her failings and said she punished herself everyday.

But the judge added: "Your conduct over the months prevented Peter from being seen by social services. You actively deceived the authorities. You acted selfishly because your priority was your relationship with [the boyfriend]."

The boyfriend, who earlier this month was also found guilty of raping a two-year-old girl, was jailed for life for the rape and told he must serve at least 10 years in jail.

That sentence will run concurrently with a 12-year sentence he was given for his role in Baby P's death.

The lodger, Owen, was given an indeterminate sentence, with a minimum term of three years.

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